Yesterday’s Barisan Nasional victory in the Rompin by-election is still giving pause for UMNO because it was obtained with a reduced majority. While UMNO Deputy President calls for a post-mortem, another leading figure is already defending the party President from suggestions that attacks by Tun Dr Mahathir have gained traction in this rural stronghold. And will tomorrow’s by-election in Permatang Pauh, where Pakatan Rakyat is the incumbent, also give the leading players there a pyrrhic victory? We explore.

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan.